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Sep 05, 20:00


GamersHeroes Thursday, September 5, 2024 5:48 PM
    

See the opening movie of Atlus West's Persona 3 Reload expansion - dubbed Episode Aigis - with the latest trailer for the title.

The post Persona 3 Reload: Expansion Pass Episode Aigis Opening Movie Released appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Thursday, September 5, 2024 5:09 PM
    

Bikers reign supreme this week in Rockstar Games GTA Online - celebrate with a number of bonuses and discounts.

The post Biker Business Bonuses This Week in GTA Online appeared first on GamersHeroes.


Kotaku Thursday, September 5, 2024 5:05 PM
    

Sony is beginning to ramp up celebrations for the upcoming 30th anniversary of the PlayStation brand. And new images posted by the company seem to include an icon of a console that looks a lot like the alleged leaked PS5 Pro design. Hmmm...

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Kotaku Thursday, September 5, 2024 4:25 PM
    

Like the Alien franchise, the Terminator series has been stuck in a rut since its early days, with its subsequent projects failing to recapture the greatness of its first two films. While Netflix's original anime spin-off, Terminator Zero, doesn't entirely shake the uncanny sameness of its predecessors, it boldly…

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Kotaku Thursday, September 5, 2024 4:15 PM
    

Every month, millions of people around the world take for granted the fact that they are probably members of Amazon Prime. A Prime subscription nets you a lot, including a streaming service and free shipping on online orders, but it also offers new free games every month through Prime Gaming. Sometimes, these…

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Kotaku Thursday, September 5, 2024 2:55 PM
    

The latest attempt at rebooting Universal's classic Wolf Man series is nearly here and we've finally gotten our first look at what the werewolf will look like in the movie. And uh, well, it's not great. But there's a chance it's not quite the final product.

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Kotaku Thursday, September 5, 2024 2:35 PM
    

When Arcane season two drops this November, it'll mark the finale to the amazing Netflix series based on League of Legends. But until we all have to be sad about the show ending, we can be excited about Netflix releasing a new trailer for the second and last season. Spoiler alert, everybody seems like they are having…

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Kotaku Thursday, September 5, 2024 2:25 PM
    

Guy "Dr Disrespect" Beahm is promoting his apparent return months after going offline following a "sexting" controversy around his original 2020 Twitch ban. He even tried to preempt the pedophile jokes that now routinely flood the mentions under his social media posts. "WHeRe's He CoMinG from, Epstein iSlAnd?" the…

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Kotaku Thursday, September 5, 2024 2:15 PM
    

I first stumbled upon the work of Hotel Art Thief while doomscrolling on X (formerly Twitter). "The Bechdel Test video game actually looks pretty cool," wrote comedian Michael Kandel in a post that includes a live-action video of a woman walking down the streets of Brooklyn with a GTA-inspired overlay. For reference,…

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Kotaku Thursday, September 5, 2024 1:35 PM
    

A recently released RC helicopter game on PlayStation 4 was a clear rip off one of Grand Theft Auto Vice City's worst and most infamous missions. Days after its release, it's already been yanked from the store as it seems Take-Two Interactive noticed just how similar it was to the original game.

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Kotaku Thursday, September 5, 2024 1:13 PM
    

Alright, I've mourned summer enough, please bring on the fall weather and everything that accompanies it. Well, almost everything. The neat thing about summer is that it's prime time for deals on video games,, and this narrow window between the end of summer vacation and the actual beginning of autumn is the last bit…

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Kotaku Thursday, September 5, 2024 12:30 PM
    

The latest story mission for Fornite Chapter 5, Season 4 is here. This week's batch of missions will have you running tasks for Shuri and Hope all throughout the island. This guide will detail everything you need to know about completing these quests.

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PCGamesN Thursday, September 5, 2024 7:15 PM
     Greedfall 2 studio Spiders increasing dev pay following strike action

After some members of its workforce went on strike and penned an open letter criticizing the company, Greedfall 2 developer Spiders has announced new measures such as pay increases and remote working agreements. These new measures come less than three weeks out from Greedfall 2's early access launch.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RPG games, Upcoming games, Best PC games

PCGamesN Thursday, September 5, 2024 7:10 PM
     Space Marine 2 blasts past predecessor on Steam before full launch

Who would've believed that in the final stages of the year 2024, one of the biggest game launches would be a beefed-up sequel to a 2011 title. Yet, here we are, and Warhammer 40k Space Marine 2 is soaring up the Steam charts, with a colossal number of players lining up to jump in for some Tyranid-slaying action. What's most remarkable about this, however, is that the game isn't even fully out yet.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Space Marine 2 review, Space Marine 2 system requirements , Best Warhammer 40k games

PCGamesN Thursday, September 5, 2024 6:27 PM
     Black Ops 6's most powerful gun gets nerfed ahead of open beta weekend

I don't know about you, but I've got a good feeling about Call of Duty Black Ops 6. After playing the beta over recent days, it's felt like a dynamic, slick new entry to the series that retains some of the strongest elements of recent CoDs as well. However, there's been one gun in particular throughout the beta's first weekend that's been absolutely dominating, and ahead of the fully open beta weekend, Treyarch has moved in to deploy one of the earliest nerfs I've ever seen.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Black Ops 6 release date, Best FPS games, Best Black Ops 6 loadouts

PCGamesN Thursday, September 5, 2024 5:35 PM
     Mirthwood will evolve into a true Stardew Valley rival post-launch

Ever wanted a Stardew Valley style life sim that's mashed together with a fantasy RPG like Fable? Well, Mirthwood is just a few days away from filling that gap in your life. Ahead of its launch next week, a roadmap for its post-launch plans has been revealed, and it's mighty impressive.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best indie games, Best RPG games, Best life games

PCGamesN Thursday, September 5, 2024 5:21 PM
     New Risk of Rain 2 patch begins fixing Seekers of the Storm issues

It's fair to say that the Seekers of the Storm DLC for Risk of Rain 2 hasn't gone quite how developer Gearbox wanted. At launch, the game was beset by negative reviews, with players citing issues with balance, weapons, bugs, and a general feeling that it wasn't the same quality of previous updates. The game's developer, for its part, has promised to turn the ship around and fix what's gone wrong, and the first part of that redemption arc has now launched.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best roguelike games, Best platform games, Best upcoming PC games

PCGamesN Thursday, September 5, 2024 4:23 PM
     Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown launch hampered by server issues

The day has finally arrived - Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is now in the hands of (some) players as its one-week early access period gets underway. Those that forked out $90 for the Gold Edition of the open-world racing game are getting behind the wheel right now - that is, if they can navigate their way through some frustrating server issues.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best racing games, Best steering wheel, Best PC games

PCGamesN Thursday, September 5, 2024 4:25 PM
     Huge RPG Pathfinder Wrath of the Righteous launches free crossover DLC

Multiverses are a tired narrative trope now, with Marvel dragging the idea to exhaustion - and beyond. Mashups and crossovers, however, are always worth giving the time of day. That's why it's pretty exciting that there's new DLC for Pathfinder Wrath of the Righteous which introduces characters from Children of Morta into the game. In addition, it's even more exciting that the price you'll have to pay for this DLC is absolutely nothing.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best RPGs, Best fantasy games, Best open-world games

PCGamesN Thursday, September 5, 2024 2:02 PM
     Space MMO Star Citizen shows off new roleplaying options coming soon

In terms of ambition there's probably nothing quite on the same level as Star Citizen. While it is an MMO at heart, it's aiming to be much more than that. The controversial sim is looking to let you build an entire life among the stars, and in its next Alpha 4.0 update that goal will inch a little closer. New character customization options are coming, and they'll let you make some essential tweaks to how your avatar looks when you're out adventuring in the galaxy.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best simulation games, Best multiplayer games, Best space games

PCGamesN Thursday, September 5, 2024 1:23 PM
     Ark Survival Ascended gets another huge expansion amid Ark 2 silence

Survival games are all the rage at the moment, and while there have been plenty of notable newcomers, Ark's futuristic dino action is still holding out strong. Players are still loving the original, and its enhanced remaster, Ark Survival Evolved, just received two sizable updates at the same time. While that's excellent news for the game, it does make you wonder - what the heck is going on with its highly-anticipated, transformative sequel, Ark 2.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: The best Ark mods, Best survival games , Ark 2 release date

PCGamesN Thursday, September 5, 2024 12:28 PM
     Underrated shooter Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts free to keep

For all that we talk about there being more to videogames than just a never-ending parade of ultraviolence, sometimes you do need to open a game and watch the claret spray out in gruesome arcs. That's why titles like Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts are such surprisingly chill experiences, where you can indulge one of the purest joys in gaming at your own pace. If that sounds like your thing, then you can grab it for free right now over on the Epic Games Store.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best stealth games, Best FPS games, Best sniper games

PCGamesN Thursday, September 5, 2024 12:19 PM
     I need this giant gaming keyboard, but it won't fit on my desk

If, like me, you're wondering why gaming keyboards always seem to be focused on getting smaller, MCHOSE is bucking the trend and has created a giant gaming keyboard that measures over five feet long. The  X75 V2 isn't yet available in a conventional 75% layout, but in an attempt to drum up some attention for its upcoming release, MCHOSE designed this fully functional mega-sized version and demoed it earlier this week.

While this oversized peripheral won't be cracking into our list of the best gaming keyboards, it is a fantastic way to bring more attention to the MCHOSE X75 V2, which looks set to be a mid-range gaming keyboard available as a successor to the V1, which is still available to buy.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best graphics card, Best gaming PC, Best SSD for gaming

PCGamesN Thursday, September 5, 2024 12:16 PM
     The Casting of Frank Stone DBD easter eggs

What are all of The Casting of Frank Stone Dead by Daylight easter eggs? Nearly a decade on from its initial release, asymmetrical horror game Dead by Daylight just keeps going from strength to strength. The popularity of the IP is now such that there are comic books, a spin-off dating sim, a graphic novel, more spin-off games, and even an upcoming movie hopefully still in the works..

The Casting of Frank Stone is another official game based on the property, so of course the horror game is littered with DBD references and easter eggs. Thanks to a branching timeline and events which change as a consequence of your decisions, something we discuss in our The Casting of Frank Stone review, you might miss a few on your first or even second playthrough, so we've done our best to compile a list of DBD easter eggs in The Casting of Frank Stone right here - be warned, though, there are a couple of spoilers in here.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best horror games, The Casting of Frank Stone release date, Best adventure games

PCGamesN Thursday, September 5, 2024 12:00 PM
     How to download Minecraft

How do you download Minecraft on PC? You've found us here, so you're taking your first step in a journey that leads toward one of the most beautiful and innovative experiences in PC gaming. Thankfully, we're here to get you further along that path with step-by-step guidance on how to download the Minecraft, including its different versions, from every available source.

From its beautifully ethereal soundtrack to fighting off Creepers and the therapeutic feeling of mining away underground, it's easy to see how Minecraft became one of the best PC games ever. Luckily, it's relatively simple to buy, download, and install Minecraft through Microsoft, and you can download it for free with Game Pass. With different versions available to buy and download, it can be hard to know where to start, so we cover all of that and more in our guide to downloading Minecraft.

Continue reading How to download Minecraft
MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Minecraft seeds, Minecraft skins, Minecraft mods

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, September 5, 2024 4:10 PM
    

Black & White was a god game that frustrated more often than it delighted, but which was nevertheless delivered with enough verve and ambition to be worth playing. It's a crying shame that it's not currently available to buy anywhere digitally, presumably because the rights are soaked in a gutter between EA (the original publisher) and Microsoft (who bought and closed developers Lionhead).

If you do still own a physical copy of Black & White however, you might be interested in Openblack. It's a fan-led project to create a modern, open source engine for running Black & White, and its first build was just released yesterday.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, September 5, 2024 2:19 PM
    

Every week of late I seem to pop up here with another new arcade racer to talk about, and well, I wouldn't want to break the streak. This week's new hotness is Parking Garage Rally Circuit, which is about powersliding around multi-storey car parks and is designed to look like a lost Sega Saturn game. It now has a release date: September 20th.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, September 5, 2024 1:22 PM
    

The second season of animated show Arcane is due to arrive on Netflix this November. After an initial teaser trailer back in June, Netflix have now released a more substantial two-minute trailer that you can watch below.

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Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, September 5, 2024 12:49 PM
    

Every time you load up Agentia you are reincarnated as a different creature. "Creature" is perhaps too narrow a word - the game's "playable characters" range from geese, microscopic life and triceratops to menhirs and small rocky islands. Each forms the heart of a diamond of delicately drawn, isometric grid terrain with a baby mobile canopy of clouds and sun. It looks like an illustration from an old botanical or geographical textbook, although the inviting emptiness around the visible area also dimly reminds me of certain elder RPGs I used to play on Macintosh.

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Siliconera Thursday, September 5, 2024 7:30 PM
    

playstation shapes of play battle

Sony Interactive Entertainment has opened up pre-orders for Shapes of Play: Battle, which is a board game from the team that designed the PlayStation console. This game is a piece of commemorative merchandise for the 30th anniversary of the PlayStation.

The board game costs $44.99. It'll come with a storage box, 16 black and white game pieces, and a game board. The pieces look like the circle, square, X, and triangle that make up the four buttons on a PlayStation controller. As for the goal of the game, it's similar to Connect 4 or Tic-Tac-Toe. Whoever lines up four different shapes (of the same color) first wins.

The color of the board is a kind of slate gray, making it resemble the original PlayStation. While the black-and-white pieces look stylish and enhance the game board's aesthetics, the color choice might also have to do with the fact that the PS5 (the latest console in the PlayStation family) is black-and-white. The pieces are also quite pretty on their own, and they fit well inside of the board. This makes the game quite easy to store.

Sony released the PlayStation (later known as the PS1 or PSX) in late 1994 for the Japanese audience. Its competitors included the SEga Saturn and the Nintendo 64, and achieved popularity with the sheer amount of games available. Many popular franchises got their start on the PlayStation as well, such as the Final Fantasy and Tekken series. That also got many people to start playing it.

Shapes of Play: Battle is available for pre-order and will come out on December 9, 2024. You can also get Shapes of Play: Create (multicolored wooden blocks) and State of Play: Recharge (silicone shapes to "recharge your hands" in between gaming session) for the anniversary. 

The post Sony Announces Shapes of Play: Battle PlayStation Board Game appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 5, 2024 7:00 PM
    

kirby lip gloss

Lovisia will release Kirby lip gloss in stores across Japan from September 12, 2024. You'll also be able to purchase it from its online store. [Thanks, 4Gamer!]

The concept for this line of Kirby lip gloss is a "hearty tea time," which explains all the teapots, teacups, and hearts. This concept also extends to the flavors. You can get lip gloss that smells like green tea, peach tea, or milk tea. Each one features Kirby and a Waddle Dee hanging out and enjoying some nice tea. The lip gloss itself has no color to it and can double as a chapstick. In terms of price, it'll cost 880 JPY ($6.15) per stick.

Last month, Lovisia released some Kirby items too. You could get lip balms that were in little Kirby-looking compacts. The fragrances back then are actually similar to the ones here. You could get milk, peach, or mango. The August 2024 line also had hairbands that you could use to keep hair out of your face. This is useful when you're washing up in the morning or before bed.

The Kirby lip gloss will appear in stores across Japan, as well as from the Lovisia online shop, from September 12, 2024.

The post Lovisia Kirby Lip Gloss Smells Like Tea appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 5, 2024 6:30 PM
    

Black Desert Online Berserk

Black Desert Online will host another Berserk collaboration, as the event is set to run from September 5 to September 19, 2024. For a limited time, players will be able to challenge Nosferatu Zodd and interact with the mysterious Skull Knight to receive unique collaboration items. Additionally, cosmetic sets for Guts, Griffith, and Schierke are available to purchase during the event period.

The Berserk collaboration cosmetic sets for Griffith and Shierke will 2,640 Pearls, the in-game currency for Black Desert Online, whereas the cosmetic set for Guts will cost 3,720 Pearls. Additionally, players can purchase a Berserk Pack for 4,752 Pearls, which will allow them to select a total of two collaboration outfits.

Other items for purchase during the event period include a Puck Appearance Change Coupon for 1,800 Pearls and a Behelit Jukebox for 1,200 Pearls.

Participating in the event will net you the following rewards:

  • Behelit Alchemy Stone
  • Everything is Within the Flows of Causality - Title
  • 60 Advice of the Valks

Zodd can be encountered periodically through the day, with the rewards he drops being random. Unlike Zodd, the Skull Knight is not available to fight, and is simply an NPC you will meet during the event.

Black Desert Online is available for PlayStation 4, PC, and Xbox One. The Berserk collaboration will run from September 5 to September 19, 2024.

The post Black Desert Online Berserk Collab to Feature Zodd and Skull Knight appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 5, 2024 6:00 PM
    

genshin impact natlan merchandise

To commemorate Natlan appearing in Genshin Impact, Animate will hold an event from September 14, 2024. You'll be able to get merchandise of the new Genshin Impact characters Kinich, Mualani, and Kachina, that were introduced in Natlan, as well as enjoy some drinks at the Gratte cafe.

The Natlan Release Commemoration Animate Fair will take place in Animate stores all around Japan from September 14 to October 27, 2024. During this time, you'll be able to get a little card of one of the above characters if you purchase Genshin Impact goods and your transaction is over 2200 JPY. There will also be a Gratte collaboration at stores with a Gratte. There aren't any special menus outside of cookies and lattes depicting Kinich, Mualani, or Kachina.

The merchandise uses how they look in a key visual of the three characters travelling through Natlan. There are also items that use their splash art. You can get a random acrylic coaster if you order at least one item from the Gratte menu. Other pieces of merchandise (and their prices) are:

  • Acrylic stand: 2200 JPY
  • Badge: 590 JPY each
  • Badge (chibi): 495 JPY
  • Clear folder: 880 JPY

Life-sized stands of the characters will appear in certain Animate stories. Mualani will be in Sapporo and Nagoya, Kinich will be in Fukuoka Parco and Ikebukuro, and Kachina will be at Sendai and Nihonbashi.

Genshin Impact is readily available on the PS4, PS5, Windows PC, and mobile devices.

The post New Genshin Impact Merchandise Stars Natlan Characters appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 5, 2024 5:30 PM
    

jujutsu kaisen 0 stage play

A stage play of Jujutsu Kaisen 0 has been announced. It'll have a live band accompaniment and start airing in December 2024. [Thanks, ryokutya2089!]

There's not that much information on the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 stage play at the moment. It'll have its first performance in Tokyo some time in December 2024. Then, in January 2025, it'll have a showing in Osaka. The dates and locations will come out some time later.

As for the cast, we only know who'll play main characters Yuta Okkotsu and Suguru Geto. Yuki Ogoe will be Yuta. Ogoe's previous roles include Ramon (Basshaa) in Kamen Rider Kiva and Sakamichi Onoda in live-action adaptations of Yowamushi Pedal. Ray Fujita will play Geto. Fujita previously appeared as Kitazaki (Dragon Orphnoch) in Kamen Rider 555 and Rei Suzumura (Silver Fanged Knight ZERO) in GARO.

Jujutsu Kaisen 0 serves as a prequel to the main Jujutsu Kaisen series. It follows Yuta Okkotsu and his Cursed Spirit Rika, who was his childhood friend. After Gojo recruits him, Yuta joins Tokyo Jujutsu Technical High and meets with Maki, Inumaki, and Panda. Geto, a sorcerer who was once Gojo's best friend and partner, seeks to recruit Yuta to get a hold of Rika. The cinematic adaptation of the manga came out in 2021.

Jujutsu Kaisen is available for streaming on services like Crunchyroll. More information on the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 stage play will come out in the near future.

The post Jujutsu Kaisen 0 Stage Play Will Star Kamen Rider Actors appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 5, 2024 5:00 PM
    

ldur's Gate 3 Patch 6 Beta Branch Added on Steam Patch 7 PC

Larian announced on social media that Windows PC players who don't want to jump into Baldur's Gate 3 Patch 7 now have the option to remain on Patch 6 via a beta branch on Steam. This would allow them access to features like older mods and cross saves, as the update negatively affects both. Note that opting out does remove access to new endings, the mod manager, and split-screen multiplayer.

In order to opt out of the Baldur's Gate 3 Patch 7 update and rollback to 6, you first need to bring up the PC game in Steam. If you select it and check the Betas tab in Properties, you'll see a new option. It will be labeled as "release_patch6_hf9." You don't need to worry about any passwords or prior authorizations. It will just allow you to go back to the patch before the one released on PCs on September 5, 2024. 

When Larian announced the new branch, it also explained why someone might want to avoid updating to Patch 7 now. Console cross-saves will not work with the new patch. This is because only the Windows PC version of the update is now live. Larian noted on social media that it won't come to the Mac, PS5, or Xbox Series X until sometime in October 2024. Likewise, because of this update, someone playing on a Windows PC would be limited to other Windows PC players ahead if they did update. Rolling back to Patch 6 allows them to play with people on Macs. Also, while some modders have been working with Larian prior to this patch's release, others haven't. So those with a lot of Baldur's Gate 3 mods in-use may want to opt out so they can finish their run with them.

Note that someone can opt into Patch 7 at any time, should they decide to rollback to Patch 6. This isn't a permanent option.

Baldur's Gate 3 is available for the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and Patch 7 is available for Windows PCs now.

The post Baldur's Gate 3 Patch 6 Beta Branch Added on Steam appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 5, 2024 4:30 PM
    

Blue Archive Plana Nendoroid Joins Arona Figure in 2025

Good Smile Company announced that like iconic Blue Archive NPC Arona, Plana will join the Nendoroid figure line. It will cost ¥6,700 when it shows up in Japan in February 2024. When the worldwide release comes in Q3 2025, it will cost $40.99.

Like Arona, Plana is a Shittim AI character in Blue Archive. She also wears a white bow in her hair and a school uniform, only one with a jacket over it, which is recreated for the figure. Her halo is red, whereas Arona's is blue, and her braid is on the opposite site. The Nendoroid comes with three face plates. One features a neutral expression, another has dizzy, spiral eyes and the third features her smiling and blushing. She also comes with a rifle and a carton of strawberry milk.

There's also a promotion tied to Good Smile Company official store sales. People who buy it from there get an additional base. It features her name and iconography from the game.

Here's how the Plana Nendoroid looks, as well as the special base that comes if you order the Blue Archive figure directly through Good Smile Company.

The Blue Archive Plana Nendoroid will appear in Japan in February 2025 and worldwide in Q3 2025. Pre-orders are open until October 16, 2024. The Arona Blue Archive figure in this line is available now. The game is available on mobile devices. The anime adaptation is airing now, and episodes can be found on YouTube.

The post Blue Archive Plana Nendoroid Joins Arona Figure in 2025 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 5, 2024 4:00 PM
    

Bleach Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3 Release Date Falls in October

The release date for the new Part 3 of the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime series has been decided. The new arc, titled The Conflict, will begin airing in Japan at 11pm JST (7am ET/10am PT) on October 5, 2024. [Thanks, ryokutya2089!]

According to leaker ryokutya2089, the new season of the anime series will premiere a month from now. Coincidentally, the release date for the new season falls on the same day that the original Bleach anime adaptation released in back in 2004 in Japan. Similarly, the first season of the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime premiered in Japan on October 11, 2022.

As a reminder, a teaser trailer for the new anime arc of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War appeared on July 8, 2024. It briefly showcased the opening and ending theme songs for the new season. Additionally, a key visual image featuring the main characters appeared alongside the teaser trailer.

The release date for the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3: The Conflict falls on October 5, 2024 at 11pm JST. Parts 1 and 2 of the anime series are now available on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ worldwide. Viz Media handled the localization of the manga.

The post Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3 Release Date Falls in October appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 5, 2024 3:30 PM
    

Anycolor Shared New Statement on YAB Misconduct Toward Nijisanji Vtubers

Anycolor shared a new statement regarding the recent case of identity leaking and misconduct from external audio engineer YAB towards a Nijisanji Vtuber. As of September 5, 2024 the company has stated that it is in contact with and interviewing the subject.

In the latest announcement, Anycolor thanked people for their cooperation in sharing relevant information about the YAB case via the official contact form. The company also said it expected people online to help prevent any collateral damage to the victims and any associated parties by avoiding making any baseless statements or sharing disinformation online. The message continued with the Vtuber company insisting that, if any new information that could potentially hurt the victims or give away any information about them comes to light through any public social media platforms, Anycolor will determine that there is intent to cause harm and will take steps to respond accordingly.

Anycolor will show the same zero tolerance stance in regards to non-public social media sites, such as LINE or Discord, when it comes to the YAB Nijisanji Vtuber situation and other inappropriate behavior. The company confirmed that there have already been cases in which misinformation was spread through such channels. The response to these situations is to not allow any damaging acts to be committed towards the victims. The statement ended with a request to share any information on the matter via the corresponding website instead of through public channels, such as social media.

The post Anycolor Shared New Statement on YAB Nijisanji Vtuber Misconduct appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 5, 2024 3:00 PM
    

Concord Key Art

Sony's latest attempt at live service success has proven to be the exact opposite, as Concord has been shut down after only two weeks of its release. Initial reports on its sales were not promising, with player counts for the Steam version barely breaking 700 concurrent players.

The shutdown of Concord is almost certainly some kind of new record. The only game I can think of with a launch this bad was Crucible. Don't worry if you don't remember it, I'm sure I'm one of a handful of people who do. That said, I don't remember anything about the game itself, just how badly it did. Released in May 2020 as the first game from Amazon's publishing division, Crucible was pulled back into closed beta a month later and then canceled entirely by October. And yet, it still lasted at least two weeks longer as a public release than Concord.

There are many things that led Concord to do this poorly. The characters were bland and uninspiring, revealing little about the character personalities (if any). Its most prominent trailer was misleading and suggested a narrative-driven experience that the game wasn't going to deliver. It charged money up front as a new IP in a market full of free-to-play alternatives. All these reasons are contributors to Concord's demise, but mostly, it's simply a victim of the realities of the live service gold rush happening within the games industry.

Image via Sony

Big companies are desperate for their own live service game. It's easy to see why from an executive perspective. A quick glance at the billions of dollars being made by the likes of Fortnite is enough to make any investor ask why their money isn't going towards the same thing. When a live service succeeds, it can be a huge earner, bringing in a lot of regular income. However, these seemingly obvious calculations frequently collide with the cold, harsh reality of the market they're trying to get into.

The truth is, the live service market has proven itself to be a gamble. Sure, there have been big success stories. But for every game that makes it, there are significantly more live services like Concord, crashing and burning within months, and now even weeks, of their release. I already mentioned Crucible, an uninspiring hero shooter with PvE elements, but the list goes on.

Let's not forget the likes of Anthem or Babylon's Fall, where studios known for single-player games were forced into making live service games that no one cared about. What about Hyper Scape, where Ubisoft boldly asked, what if Fortnite had exactly zero personality? Even within the last twelve months we've seen mass indifference to Foamstars and the cancelation of Sega's Hyenas after it became obvious that no one was going to pay much attention to it if it did release.

These games are just the tip of the iceberg. There is a parade of live service games that have been sent out to fall right into a mass grave sitting off to the side of the games industry. The live service market is one where success can be lucrative, but the failures are crushing and much more likely to happen.

Image via Sony

The live service market is wildly oversaturated. Not just because everyone's chasing after Epic's V-Bucks but also because the nature of live service games means that there simply can't be that many out there at any given time. Live service games demand your constant attention, with daily login bonuses, time-gated events and other requirements to keep coming back and make the game your exclusive forever game.

When a standard single-player game releases, the time commitment is only as long as the game's story. An RPG may be a long experience, but once it's done it's easy to hop into another game in the genre. For something like horror games, their shorter length means horror fans can easily jump from one game to the next. And what's more, a lack of players at launch isn't a death sentence, as players can discover the game months or years later while still getting the exact same experience.

For any given live service game, you have to convince people already invested into the existing similar games to simply stop playing and move over to your project. Players certainly don't have the time to play more than one, maybe two, at a time, so if your game doesn't match up, it will simply be ignored. And without enough other players, these games simply aren't worth playing. The fewer players there are, the quicker those players will disappear and accelerate the game's demise.

Image via Sony

It's not impossible to succeed, just highly unlikely. Fall Guys and Helldivers 2 show that having a unique enough hook can bring people in, while Valorant and Apex Legends show the importance of good community engagement during development or around launch. But even some of these games are operating at significantly reduced player numbers from their hugely successful launches, while other games which could have succeeded, such as the unique dodgeball battler Knockout City, failed to achieve much success at all. The idea that there is a magic formula for success has simply not played out in reality.

The live service gold rush has been a disaster, and Concord is merely the latest casualty of it. Talented developers have wasted years of their lives working on canned projects, resources have been funneled away from games with more community interest and the few players who have paid into these have simply lost their money to a game they can no longer play. It's an unsustainable strategy driven entirely by the pursuit of short-term profits. Profits that also have failed to materialize, raising the question of who, if anyone, has gained anything from this strategy.

With Concord shutting down in such a short space of time, I hope it's the final nail in the coffin for the live service gold rush. While I don't believe it's the end for these games altogether, I hope the sheer numbers of them get reduced. And in the process hopefully more publishers will allow developers to build on their strengths and make much more appealing games for their audience.

The post The Failure of Concord Highlights the Flaws of the Live Service Gold Rush appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 5, 2024 2:30 PM
    

Danmachi: Fullland of Water and Light Will Appear in English

Bushiroad Games announced that the new Danmachi: Fullland of Water and Light video game will release in English on both Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam. A new key visual depicting the main characters of the game was also revealed. [Thanks, PR Times!]

The full title is Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Fullland of Water and Light, and it will be a side-scrolling action RPG. At the time of writing, there is no confirmed release date for the new Danmachi game. The new key visual for it depicts protagonist Bell Cranel, Hestia, Ais Wallenstein, and new character and spirit of water Dine.

You can check out the new key visual for Danmachi: Fullland of Water and Light here:

https://twitter.com/danmachidanfull/status/1831529413613384079

Additionally, Bushiroad opened the official website for the new Danmachi game, which is available in both Japanese and English. The website offers new details about returning characters from the main series, as well as the new original characters created exclusively for the game. A short 2-minute-long Japanese trailer for the game was also released and it offers a brief glimpse at the gameplay, as well as details about the story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB0cdjE_c7w

As a reminder, the latest video game in the Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Seriesreleased so far worldwide is Danmachi Battle Chronicle. The game released on August 24, 2023 and it is available for iOS and Android mobile devices, PS4, PS5, and Windows PCs.

Danmachi: Fullland of Water and Light is currently in development and will appear for the Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam. There is currently no announced release date.

The post Danmachi: Fullland of Water and Light Game Will Appear in English appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 5, 2024 2:00 PM
    

FFXIV Toys Go Aquatic With Grebuloff Lamp, Toad Suit Plush

Taito announced three new FFXIV crane game prizes in Japan, which are a Grebuloff Lamp and two types of Toad Suit plush toys. Both are immediately available via the online Japanese games, with each one costing 1,600TC per play for those in Japan. It is unknown if they will also eventually be available via standard retailers.

The Grebuloff Lamp lamp is based on the Wind-up Grebuloff Minion people can get in FFXIV. It features a character from the race in their typical diving suit. If someone places three AAA batteries in it, the light in the headlamp on the helmet will light up. It stands at about 12cm (~4.7in) tall.

Here's the official announcement, which also shows how that decoration looks:

https://twitter.com/Taito_Olcrane/status/1831713901341503514

As for the FFXIV Toad Suit plush toys, those are available in pink or green styles. It is based on the Toad Glamour Set we can find in-game after getting to the Shadowbringers expansion content. While the standard version in FFXIV is green, the item references the fact it is a dyeable piece of gear by also including the pink option. Each one is poseable, so you can make them look like they are standing or sitting and adjust arm positions. They also stand at 18cm (~7in) tall. 

Here's Taito's announcement showing off those FFXIV crane game prizes.

https://twitter.com/Taito_Olcrane/status/1831711384335188203

Taito often releases crane game prizes based on the MMORPG. For example in July 2024, there were sets of glasses with light-up coasters. We've also seen Moogle lamps and job dolls

Final Fantasy XIV is available on the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC. Taito crane games in Japan now include a Grebuloff lamp and Toad Suit plush toys as prizes.

The post FFXIV Toys Go Aquatic With Grebuloff Lamp, Toad Suit Plush appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 5, 2024 1:30 PM
    

Shizuna Rem Misurugi in The Legend of Heroes Kai no Kiseki

Nihon Falcom has just confirmed the appearances of even more characters in The Legend of Heroes: Kai no Kiseki ~Farewell, O Zemuria~. Shizuna Rem Misurugi, Celis Ortesia, and Rion Balthazar are among the list of existing series characters who will make their return in Kai no Kiseki.

Shizuna is one of the key characters in the Trails through Daybreak sub-series, where she had appeared since its first entry. Meanwhile, the Dominion knights Celis and Rion made their latest appearances in Trails through Daybreak II, which is also the direct prequel to Kai no Kiseki.

Shizuna, Celis, and Rion will not be the only characters who return in Kai no Kiseki. Professor Latoya Hamilton, who also raised Quatre Salision, will also appear in the new entry.

In addition, Nihon Falcom also confirmed the appearances of the swordmaster Yun Ka-Fai and the shinobi Kurogane. The latter is highly tipped to become the next leader of Ikaruga, the group where Shizuna is currently affiliated as its vice-captain.

The Legend of Heroes: Kai no Kiseki ~Farewell, O Zemuria~ will be available for PlayStation 5 and 4 in Japan and East Asia on September 26, 2024.

The post Kai no Kiseki Will Bring Back Shizuna, Celis, and Rion appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 5, 2024 1:00 PM
    

FFVII Ever Crisis Cetra Story Teased With Trailer Final Fantasy Bahamut

When Square Enix announced the Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis first anniversary events, that also included a The Cetra's Story: Birth of the Destroyer based on the race introduced in the original FFVII. Now ahead of its debut on September 6, 2024, a trailer teased the plot of the story, showed a new version of Bahamut coming to the Final Fantasy universe, and offered another look at the new Bahamut Garb equipment for Cloud. 

This teaser is exceptionally short. It primarily is designed to show which FFVII Ever Crisis characters will be included in the The Cetra's Story: Birth of the Destroyer event quests and tease the role of Bahamut as both an enemy and ally. Things begin with Cloud, Aerith, Tifa, Barret, Red XIII, Cait Sith, and Yuffie in a field. (Cid is not present.) Vincent hints at the group being in even more trouble after a fight. It is then that a white version of Bahamut, a classic Final Fantasy summon, appears in the sky. We then see a dragon on the ground facing that version of Bahamut. An unknown figure suggests that this is a losing battle. It is then that another teaser for the upcoming Bahamut Garb for Cloud appears in a piece of official art.

Here's the full The Cetra's Story: Birth of the Destroyer teaser trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpW1wwG2QJ8

The Bahamut Garb Gear is part of a new Garbs of the Protectors equipment series in FFVII Ever Crisis. It is currently unknown which other characters will also get similar gear.

Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis is available on PCs and mobile devices, and The Cetra's Story: Birth of the Destroyer event starts on September 6, 2024.

The post FFVII Ever Crisis Cetra Story Teased With Trailer appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Thursday, September 5, 2024 12:30 PM
    

The upcoming Balatro mobile ports mean the roguelike deckbuilder based on Poker will be an Android, iOS, and Apple Arcade game.

LocalThunk and PlayStack announced that when the Android and iOS mobile Balatro ports arrive on September 26, 2024, they will also be accompanied by an Apple Arcade release of the game. Apple Arcade is $6.99 per month, while the standalone version of the game will cost $9.99 on the App Store and Google Play.

As a reminder, Balatro is a roguelike deckbuilder based on Poker. You pick up playing cards for your deck, acquire Jokers that have different scoring and game-influencing effects, and get things like planetary and tarot cards to increase the values of certain hands or affect your game. Your goal is to continually beat more challenging tasks, some with restrictions, by meeting the scoring goals. Campaign and challenge modes are available, and post-launch updates added things like new cosmetics inspired by games like The Witcher

Here's the official trailer for the Balatro mobile ports:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7ZHIxRe66Q

Balatro first appeared on consoles and PCs in February 2024. It's been consistently updated, and physical versions were announced. It also appeared in other games, with an upcoming crossover bringing Balatro into Dave the Diver in October 2024.

The Balatro Android, Apple iOS, and Apple Arcade versions of the game will appear on September 26, 2024. It is immediately available on the Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC.

The post Balatro Mobile Version Will Also Be an Apple Arcade Game appeared first on Siliconera.


TGN – Tabletop Gaming News Thursday, September 5, 2024 5:45 PM
     Osprey Games has shared details on the creation of "Undaunted 2200: Callisto," a new standalone game in the Undaunted series, which is out next week This new entry introduces gameplay on Jupiter's moon Callisto, where players engage in tactical operations to secure high ground and vital resources using mechs and vehicles. The development of "Undaunted...

TGN – Tabletop Gaming News Thursday, September 5, 2024 5:32 PM
     Steamforged Games has expanded its offerings for Warmachine players with new models and units for the Cryx Necrofactorium. The update includes the Malefactor Heavy Warjack, which features a modular weapons loadout that allows for customizable offensive and defensive strategies. This model includes an integrated Aggressive ability, enabling it to run or charge without the need...

TGN – Tabletop Gaming News Thursday, September 5, 2024 4:53 PM
     Limithron, creator of the acclaimed Pirate Borg RPG, is launching a new Kickstarter campaign titled "Down Among the Dead" on September 17th. The campaign is aiming to enrich Pirate Borg and 5E gameplay with new expansions and accessories. The Kickstarter will introduce the Pirate Borg Starter Set and an adventure anthology titled "Down Among the...

TGN – Tabletop Gaming News Thursday, September 5, 2024 4:14 PM
     Later this month, Burnin Fish Games, known for "Kitten Casualty," is preparing to introduce a new card game titled "Who Murdered the Turtle?" via Kickstarter. The murder mystery game combines elements of strategy, teamwork, and deception, challenging players to uncover the murderer among them or be the last turtle standing. In "Who Murdered the Turtle?"...

TGN – Tabletop Gaming News Thursday, September 5, 2024 3:49 PM
     Reggie Games, known for their monster-hunting board game "Primal: The Awakening," is poised to launch the Primal Boutique Store on September 17th. The new Primal Boutique Store is designed to be the definitive shopping destination for all things related to "Primal," providing fans with the unique opportunity to purchase the game and future content directly...

TGN – Tabletop Gaming News Thursday, September 5, 2024 3:07 PM
     Chaosium Inc has introduced a new scenario for their Rivers of London roleplaying game titled "The Font of All Evil." This 44-page standalone scenario draws inspiration from Ben Aaronovitch's urban fantasy novels and serves as an introductory adventure for players. "The Font of All Evil" sets players on a murder investigation in Ealing, West London....

TGN – Tabletop Gaming News Thursday, September 5, 2024 2:53 PM
     Just when you thought every possible theme had been squeezed into a MONOPOLY board, The Op Games pulls a fast one with a brand-new culinary twist: MONOPOLY: Flavortown Edition. Available now at $44.99, this game drags the classic board game into the kitchen of none other than Guy Fieri himself. You've seen him on TV,...

WGB Thursday, September 5, 2024 6:27 PM
     Black Myth: Wukong is still smashing records, surpassing 18 million copies sold now.

WGB Thursday, September 5, 2024 3:59 PM
     Astro Bot is upon us and the initial reviews indicate it's going to be something special.

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Thursday, September 5, 2024 6:07 PM

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Thursday, September 5, 2024 5:36 PM
    

A basketball featurette trailer was also released.

The post Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports Gets New Trailer and Release Date appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Thursday, September 5, 2024 5:04 PM
    

Several activities and events announced.

The post Sony Reveals Plans For PlayStation's 30th Anniversary appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Thursday, September 5, 2024 4:14 PM